Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 31/07/24...

[WhiteJC]

Fulham's remarkable £155m summer transfer window predicted with Man Utd, Middlesbrough and Chelsea deals
Football Manager 2024 predicts how the summer transfer window could play out for Fulham.

The summer transfer window is open for business and it has already been a hectic one for Marco Silva and Fulham.

Of course, the big news of the close-season was always going the future of influential midfielder Joao Palhinha and an early resolution was found when the Portugal international joined Bayern Munich earlier this month. The likes of Tosin Adarabioyo and Bobby De Cordova-Reid have also departed on free transfers and have agreed deals with Chelsea and Premier League newcomers Leicester City respectively.

At the time of writing, the return of former Cottagers winger Ryan Sessegnon is the only incoming deal - but there are high hopes Silva will add to his squad over the coming weeks. So we thought we would fire up Football Manager 2024 and see how the world's most popular managerial simulation predicts the remainder of the summer transfer window will play out for the Cottagers boss.

Goalkeepers
It was a case of one-in, one-out for Silva's goalkeepers as the Cottagers manager quickly moved for Bolton Wanderers stopper Nathan Baxter after Marek Rodak made a free transfer move to join Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard at Saudi Arabia Pro League club Al-Ettifaq.

Silva's goalkeeping options: Leno, Benda, Baxter

Defenders:
There was one major arrival at the back for Silva as he filled the void left behind by Tosin Adarabioyo's free transfer switch to West London rivals Chelsea. After seeing offers for the likes of Tyrone Mings and Jamaal Lascelles rejected by Aston Villa and Newcastle United respectively, the Portuguese boss was more successful with a £28m offer for Manchester United and England centre-back Harry Maguire, who actually became the Cottagers highest earner after completing the move to Craven Cottage.

Silva's defensive options: Diop, Bassey, Ream, Robinson, Castagne, Tete, Mbabu, Maguire

Midfielders
We all know the big news in the middle of the part was Joao Palhinha's big money move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. He wasn't the only midfielder leave the Cottage after Silva accepts a £28m offer from Premier League rivals Wolves for Harrison Reed. The Cottagers boss wasted little time in replacing the duo as Nottingham Forest's Ryan Yates, Middlesbrough youngster Hayden Hackney and Bournemouth's Philip Billing were all brought in at a combined cost of £50m.

Silva's midfield options: Lukic, Cairney, Pereira, Yates, Hackney, Billing

Forwards
There were two departures at the top end of the pitch as young striker Jay Stansfield joined Norwich City on a season-long loan deal and Raul Jiminez returned to Mexico in a free transfer agreement with Cruz Azul. There were two new additions in their place as Silva moved to take Chelsea youngster Marc Guiu on a season-long loan before completing a free transfer move for former Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino.

Silva's forward options: Sessegnon, Iwobi, Willian, Wilson, Muniz, Traore, Vinicius, Guiu

Ins
Sessegnon (free transfer), Firmino (free transfer), Maguire (£28m from Manchester United), Yates (£20m from Nottingham Forest), Guiu (loan from Chelsea), Hackney (£12m from Middlesbrough), Baxter (£4m from Bolton Wanderers), Billing (£18m from Bournemouth)

Outs
Palhinha (£45m to Bayern Munich), Adarabioyo (free transfer to Chelsea), De Cordova-Reid (free transfer to Leicester City), Rodak (free transfer to Al-Ettifaq), Reed (£28m to Wolves), Jiminez (free to Cruz Azul), Stansfield (loan to Norwich City)



https://www.3addedminutes.com/sport/football/fulham/fulhams-remarkable-ps155m-summer-transfer-window-predicted-with-man-utd-middlesbrough-and-wolves-deals-4722357

[WhiteJC]

Emile Smith Rowe: Fulham agree club record transfer deal in principle with Arsenal
Fulham have agreed a deal in principle that will see them pay an initial £27m for Emile Smith Rowe plus add-ons that could take the total to £34m; The Arsenal midfielder played only 346 minutes in the Premier League last season; Smith Rowe is expected to have a medical this week

Emile Smith Rowe has completed his Fulham medical ahead of a permanent move from Arsenal.
The deal - a club record for Fulham - will see them pay an initial £27m, plus add-ons that could take the total to £34m.

Final details are being sorted between the clubs for the midfielder, who returned to London from Arsenal's pre-season tour in the USA earlier this week.

Once the deal is wrapped up, Fulham are expected to go back in with an improved offer for Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay.

Smith Rowe played only 346 minutes in the Premier League last season, making just three starts, with a knee injury ruling him out for six weeks in October.

The 24-year-old has won three senior England caps, the last in March 2022, but he was a member of the squad that won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship last summer.

Fulham fly to Portugal for a pre-season training camp on Tuesday and it is hoped Smith Rowe will join up with them at some point during the camp.

Smith Rowe has been keen on the move with his primary motivation having always been regular first-team football. It is seen as a good move for all parties.

He has been with the Arsenal squad during their pre-season tour in the United States and was an unused substitute in last week's friendly against Bournemouth in Los Angeles as the Gunners won on penalties.

Asked about Smith Rowe's future after the game, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: "There are things happening in the background at the moment.

"We decided the best thing to do was to keep him away from the game today."



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/13184686/emile-smith-rowe-fulham-agree-club-record-transfer-deal-in-principle-with-arsenal

[WhiteJC]

Southampton and Fulham-linked RB Osayi-Samuel addresses speculation about Fenerbahce future
Bright Osayi-Samuel has addressed speculation linking him with a departure from Fenerbahce before the close of the summer transfer window.

According to fresh reports in Turkey, the former Queens Park Rangers winger is being linked with a return to England, with Southampton and Fulham mentioned as possible destinations.

Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United were previously credited with an interest in Osayi-Samuel, who has entered the final year of his contract at Fenerbahce.

It has been reported that Fenerbahce are willing to listen to offers in the region of €20m and will not consider any bids below this amount for the versatile right-back.

During Monday's pre-match press conference before Fenerbahce's Champions League qualifier with Lugano, Osayi-Samuel was quizzed on speculation linking him with a departure from the Yellow Canaries.

He responded: "My dad is more involved in stuff like that, just focusing on my football. As of now I am a Fenerbahce player so looking forward to the game."

Including the ongoing game against Lugano, Osayi-Samuel has appeared in 141 matches for Fenerbahce, scoring seven goals and providing thirteen assists.

When questioned if the transfer rumours affect him negatively after 140 matches for Fenerbahce, he replied: "It's good, hopefully I can keep going. In terms of the rumours, not really. I don't read any of that, just get home and go on my PlayStation."

Born in Okija, Osayi-Samuel is classed as a homegrown player by the English Football Association, having spent his formative years as a footballer with Blackpool.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=52359

[WhiteJC]

Fulham believe club will 'give in' and accept their offer – Confidence transfer will happen
Fulham's pursuit of André continues and it's now reported from Brazil that there's confidence at the Premier League club they can secure the midfielder for the price they want.

There's been a lot of back and forth between Fulham and Fluminense on the potential transfer, with the Brazilian side obviously trying to get as much as they can for their player.

Earlier this summer it was thought they may even be able to push the price as high as €40m because there was interest from multiple Premier League clubs.

Right now it's only Fulham pushing through to try and get a deal done and that means it's an easier situation for Marco Silva's side than it may have otherwise been.

Brazilian journalist Bruno Andrade reports Fulham believe Fluminense will 'give in' and accept their €25m offer for André. At the same time, it's stated the selling club are continuing to request €30m.

The belief from the London club is based on Fluminense accepting the offer as the window gets older and there are no other bids in town. That means that this one could drag on a little more.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-believe-club-will-give-accept-offer-confidence-transfer-will-happen/

[WhiteJC]

Birmingham City transfer news as huge Jay Stansfield development emerges
Birmingham City are in talks with Fulham over a deal for striker Jay Stansfield, who is also wanted by several Championship clubs


Jay Stansfield clinched Birmingham City's 3-0 win over Coventry City

Birmingham City are locked in negotiations for a £6m swoop for Fulham forward Jay Stansfield as the transfer on the lips of every Bluenose, is seemingly edging closer.

Stansfield, would be a hugely ambitious signing for Blues after his impressive loan spell at the club last season saw him named as the club's player of the season.

Blues are looking to bounce straight back into the Championship as they look to get the Chris Davies era in full flow - the move for Stansfield is seen as a marquee signing that would signal that intent the club has, to the rest of League One.

The Telegraph reports that discussions are continuing between the two clubs and it's likely that the situation will be concluded sooner rather than later, with Blues hoping they can set a new transfer fee record for League One.

Blues were the beneficiaries of Stansfield's talents last season; despite their relegation to League One, he scored 13 goals and was widely regarded as their best-performing player, despite being only 21 and experiencing Championship football for the first time. Stansfield having proved that he can cut it in the second tier, though, may make matters difficult for Blues if there becomes a battle to sign him this summer.

It was suggested by Cottagers boss Marco Silva at the end of last season that Stansfield, who scored in Fulham's 6-1 pre-season friendly win over Watford recently, would stay with the Premier League club heading into the new campaign after his Blues exploits, but with Emile Smith Rowe due to arrive and join the likes of Rodrigo Muniz, Raul Jimenez, Harry Wilson and others in the final third department at Fulham, Stansfield could be permitted a move.

Blues would naturally be interested in bringing the forward back to St Andrew's, despite their drop into the third tier, a division which Stansfield knows well from his time coming through the ranks at Exeter City. Whether they're able to attract the striker back on a permanent basis, despite the connection he established with the fans and the club itself, remains to be seen - especially if Stansfield has Championship offers. Indeed Blues know they will be very hard-pressed to pull off not so much a coup, as a miracle.

Cardiff City were linked with a move for the attacker recently and now Hull have emerged as the latest suitors; they've lost loanee Liam Delap and have released forwards Billy Sharp and Aaron Connolly at the end of their respective contracts. The Tigers also have money to splash having sold Jaden Philogene back to Aston Villa and defender Jacob Greaves to newly promoted Ipswich Town.



https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-transfer-news-huge-29645684

[WhiteJC]

Man United's latest stance on Scott McTominay sale, Fulham preparing offer for midfielder
HITC understands that Fulham are preparing a bid for Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay this summer.

Fulham are searching the market for midfield replacements after Bayern Munich signed Joao Palhinha earlier this summer after the German side failed in their attempts to land the Portuguese midfielder last year.

HITC had previously reported that Fulham were hopeful of striking an agreement for Andre, who plays for South American side Fluminense and has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League.

One name the Cottagers have been looking at is Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay, whose future at Old Trafford is uncertain.

Man United's stance on selling Scott McTominay explained
HITC understands that Fulham are preparing an offer for the Scottish midfielder who scored seven Premier League goals for the Red Devils last season.

HITC has previously revealed that United were looking for £40 million for the sale of the Scottish international, but sources have confirmed that Fulham believe a deal could be done.

United boss Erik Ten Hag wants to keep McTominay – but he also appreciates that if he wants to do further business, then sales will need to take place.

United are interested in Paris Saint-Germain's Manuel Ugarte and the Red Devils may need to sell a midfielder before they can make a move for the Uruguayan.

McTominay proved to be a vital figure for Ten Hag's United as they reached the FA Cup final and eventually won the competition. The Scotsman opened the scoring during the frantic 4-3 win over Liverpool in the quarter-final.

Man United's plans for sales explained
The Red Devils are understood to be in talks with the Saudi Pro League about the sale of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro to the Middle East but these talks are understood to have stalled.

The possible sales of centre-backs Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are certainly not guaranteed this summer either.

They are open to selling Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and he is in talks with West Ham – but any fee he brings in will be used on his replacement. Bayern Munich's Noussair Mazraoui is of interest to United.

Fulham, who are looking for a replacement for Palhinha, are now looking to land McTominay despite also holding talks with Fluminense over Andre.



https://www.hitc.com/man-uniteds-latest-stance-on-scott-mctominay-sale-fulham-preparing-another-offer/

[Shredhead]

Fulham are staying in a hotel in Lagos, western Algarve. I've a mate who lives nearby (he's an Arsenal fan but he loved it when I took him to the Cottage last season) and has seen some of the players and staff wandering down to the local beach.